Whats Wrong Here?

How well do you know the Code? Think you can spot violations the original installer either ignored or couldn't identify? Here's your chance to moonlight as an electrical inspector and second-guess someone else's work from the safety of your living room or office. Joe, who has a knack for finding shoddy electrical work, did the dirty work and found this mess. Now it's your turn to identify the violation.

Find the Answer

Chris Luckett of Nashville, Tenn., unearthed these conduit bodies as he was preparing to disconnect a light pole for relocation. The original installer didn't think about future access to these conduit bodies — or just didn't care.

This type of installation violates the requirements of 314.29 [Boxes, Conduit Bodies, and Handhole Enclosures to Be Accessible], which states "Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building or, in underground circuits, without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade."

An exception to this rule states, "Listed boxes and handhole enclosures shall be permitted where covered by gravel, light aggregate, or noncohesive granulated soil if their location is effectively identified and accessible for excavation."